Full Breakdown
Congressional Candidate Arrested During Protest of Netanyahu’s UN Speech
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Arrest of a Candidate at the United Nations
On Thursday, New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier (D) was taken into custody by the New York Police Department while protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan. She was among roughly 250 demonstrators who blocked the corner of 1st Avenue and 39th Street, a sit-in organized by the pro-Palestinian group Jewish Voice for Peace. Police, including members of the Strategic Response Group, moved in after about an hour and arrested dozens of participants, including City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés.
Background and Context
The demonstration was intended to denounce U.S. military aid to Israel and to condemn the civilian toll of the Gaza war. Since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people, the United Nations has reported that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli Defense Forces. Protesters also chanted against Netanyahu and called for an end to U.S. support for Israel’s operations in Gaza.
Official Statements & Responses
Avila Chevalier framed her arrest as a stand against what she called a “war criminal” using American tax dollars to fund the killing of children in Gaza. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who endorsed Chevalier, responded to Netanyahu’s speech by accusing the Israeli leader of repeating “baseless lies” that sanitize alleged genocide. Netanyahu, in his UN address, directly targeted Mamdani, claiming that many Jews in New York feel unsafe because of the mayor’s criticism.
Data and Statistics
- Approximately 250 protesters gathered outside the UN building.
- An organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace said the total number of arrests topped 100.
- Chevalier cited more than 64,000 children injured or killed in Gaza as a result of U.S. funding.
- The protest included elected officials such as congressional nominee Brad Lander, state Sen. Jabari Brisport, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As the Democratic Nominee for New York’s 13th Congressional District, I refuse to allow a war criminal to roam the streets of our city unchallenged,” — Avila Chevalier
- “Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, israeli prime minister
- “As he has done time and again, Prime Minister Netanyahu used his speech to repeat baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians,” — Zohran Mamdani, york city mayor